This Week In London’s History
- Monday – 22nd October 1809: The Croydon Canal, linking Croydon to Deptford via Forest Hill, is opened. Requiring 28 locks to overcome the gradients of the route, it would never become a commercial success, and would be closed just 37 years later.
- Tuesday – 23rd October 1731: A fire breaks out in Ashburnham House in Westminster, damaging much of the Cotton Library – a renowned collection of Middle English literature. Prompt action by the Speaker of the House of Commons manages to save about three quarters of the collection.
- Wednesday – 24th October 2003: Concorde’s final commercial passenger flight touches down at Heathrow airport.
- Thursday – 25th October 1976: The National Theatre on the South Bank is opened by the Queen, following several years of delays.
- Friday – 26th October 1992: A 'Computer Aided Dispatch' system is introduced at London’s ambulance service. The system does not fare well, and is blamed for massive delays in assigning ambulances to calls (and reports of up to 30 deaths as a result).
Random London Quote Of The Week
The way was long and weary,
But gallantly they strode,
A country lad and lassie,
Along the heavy road!The night was dark and stormy,
But blithe of heart were they,
For shining in the distance,
The lights of London lay!O gleaming lights of London,
That gem of the city’s crown,
What fortunes be within you,
O Lights of London Town!
George Robert Sims, Lights of London
Photo by quite peculiar via the Londonist Flickr Pool.